ABOUT WWOOF

Want to live and learn on organic farms worldwide? Want to share your life with other like-minded people?

WWOOF is a worldwide movement linking volunteers with organic farmers and growers to promote cultural and educational experiences based on trust and non-monetary exchange, thereby helping to build a sustainable, global community.

As a volunteer (or WWOOFer as we call them) you will live alongside your host helping with daily tasks and experiencing life as a farmer.

As a host farm you will open your home to receive visitors from your own country or abroad who want to connect with the land and support the organic movement.

WWOOF specialises in linking people who are passionate about healthy food, healthy living and a healthy planet. Join us, show your support for the organic movement and start learning (or sharing) ways of living a more sustainable life. As a member you will be plugged into an international network of like-minded people, with staff on the ground in 60+ countries ready to offer local advice and support.

WWOOF is organised by country, so first you need to decide where in the world you want to go! You can see the complete list of destinations at this page: http://wwoof.net/#destination . Sign up as a volunteer on the WWOOF Organisation responsible for the country you want to visit and then you can start contacting hosts to arrange your visit. If you want to visit more than one country you will need to sign up as a volunteer in each country you plan to visit. Also, you are responsible for ​obtaining your Visa and paying for ​your own transportation & personal expenses. We do not make arrangements for you, instead you will make contact with the hosts yourself.

There is no international WWOOF membership. WWOOF is a network of local organisations providing a local and friendly service that speak the local language, know the local volunteer laws and know most of the hosts. By this way WWOOF is able to provide a better service than a centralized website. The exception is the countries that still do not have a National coordination that are listed by WWOOF Independents.

You can WWOOF in more than 120 countries world wide; its quite possible there are hosts in your own country! Why not try it on your home ground first? You can see the complete list of destinations at this page: http://wwoof.net/#destination

As WWOOF is organised by country, You need to join WWOOF in the country where your farm, smallholding or garden is situated. You can see the complete list of destinations at this page: http://wwoof.net/#destination

WWOOF is not a work agency, nor should it be seen as providing a long term solution to meeting housing/employment needs. Please keep in mind that WWOOF is NOT paid work it is a cultural and educational exchange.

Each country has different visa requirements and it would be impossible for WWOOF to assist volunteers with individual visa requirements. This means that neither WWOOF staff or WWOOF hosts can help with obtaining visas. Most WWOOFers travel using a tourist visa; however, it is your responsibility to determine the correct visa for your visit depending on the country you wish to visit. WWOOF is not responsible for any problems you may experience with immigration.

Most WWOOF groups use the lower age limit of 18 years old as in most countries people below 18 are considered by law to be children.
The good news is that different rules apply in different countries and so some WWOOF groups do take younger people. WWOOF Germany, WWOOF Portugal, WWOOF Ireland, WWOOF UK and WWOOF Italy accept younger than 18th but sometimes a letter of consent from your parent or guardian is required.

Ensure you budget for the following: subscription fee to WWOOF in the country or countries you are visiting, all travel expenses - including, travel to WWOOF country and travel to/from between host farms, accommodation en route, insurance, toiletries/medicines, mobile phone/internet access, day trips/treats If you don't already have sturdy working boots and a sleeping bag it is also advisable to purchase these.

If you are WWOOFing in certain countries your personal accident and liability cover is included in your membership fee. Otherwise you will need to make your own arrangements. Make sure your insurer knows that you will be a volunteer on a farm. You will need cover for personal accident and liability, you may also want regular travel insurance if you are going abroad.

It is helpful and polite to have some basic words in common with your host but the language learning may be part of your WWOOF experience. In most cases a host will list the languages they speak in their description. Remember to take a phrase book.

Yes it is possible but may take a bit more time to find a farm. We would advise looking for hosts who also have children too. Make sure you discuss how you will manage your time and childcare so that you can honour your part of the exchange. You might want to take child friendly food with you too!

The checks made on the hosts vary depending on where you WWOOF. Please put this question to the national co-ordinator of WWOOF in the country you are visiting. In general - when arranging to visit a WWOOF host we recommend you take all the precautions you would take when visiting someone you do not know.

It can be difficult to find hosts that exactly suit your needs without knowing which country you want to visit. So you really need to think about which countries might specialise in your preferred activity... then concentrate your search in those countries, by previewing and searching the host list in the WWOOF Organisation you choose.

WWOOFing exchanges do not allow for money to change hands, but sometimes hosts in poorer countries still ask for money to cover food costs, or other expenses related to your stay. If this happens you must tell the administrators of the organisation. Then, either find a different host, or refuse the request and offer some other way to compensate them. For example you could agree to go to the local market and buy some food or donate clothes, shoes, books or other useful items. Your choice will depend on the circumstances you find yourself in and what the host will agree to.

Formally called "Working Weekends on Organic Farms", WWOOF came into being in Autumn 1971, in England and when the demand for longer periods occurred, the name was changed to "Willing Workers on Organic Farms".
Since then, in recognition of the world wide nature of the organisation and the confusion caused by the word “work”, WWOOF now stands for "WORLD WIDE OPPORTUNITIES on ORGANIC FARMS".